Box Office: Die Hard You Rat

by Matt Bradshaw Jun 27th 2007 // 2:01PM

Filed under: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, New Releases, Box Office, Family Films, Movie Marketing, Remakes and Sequels

Steve Carell's Evan Almighty outdid the opening weekend of his last starring vehicle The 40 Year Old Virgin by about $11 million, placing Evan in last weekend's number one spot. As many have pointed out to me, I was overly optimistic about 1408, but the Stephen King adaptation starring John Cusack still managed a respectable second place. Both of last week's big gun's pushed The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer down to number three, with box office dollars dropping 65% from its opening weekend for the super hero epic. Sleeper hit Knocked Up continues to add theaters, with the film showing on 68 additional screens this week, with the comedy dropping two positions.

Last weekend's box office top five:
1. Evan Almighty: $32.1 million
2. 1408: $20.17 million
3. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: $20.15 million
4. Ocean's Thirteen: $11.3 million
5. Knocked Up: $10.6 million

This week has a couple of big hitters, one of which is a much anticipated action sequel and the other a new animated feature from the director of The Incredibles. Here's what we've got:

Live Free or Die Hard
What's It All About: Action film poster child John McLane (Bruce Willis) continues dying hard 12 years after the franchise's last installment. McLane is taking on a high-tech terrorist who is threatening to collapse the U.S. economy via some devilish computer shenanigans.
Why It Might Do Well: Since McLane's new sidekick is played by that guy from the Apple Computer ads (Justin Long), the film will, at the very least, get the Mac user vote. McLane and his insane stunts have been absent from theaters long enough that the flick will certainly inspire nostalgia, and this kind of all out action movie is tailor-made for the summer market. And, of course, there's Bruce.
Why It Might Not Do Well: 12 years is a long time between sequels.
Number of Theaters: 3,350
Prediction: $40 million

Ratatouille
What's It All About: A computer animated family comedy about a rat who dreams of becoming a chef, and who seeks to fulfill his destiny at one of Paris's finest restaurants.
Why It Might Do Well: Rat will tap much of the same market as Shrek the Third which has made over $308 million, and the Disney/Pixar duo has an impressive history. Based on the trailer I'd say they've got another winner.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Without the recognizability of a previously successful character like Shrek, audiences may be slow to warm up to our rat-faced hero.
Number of Theaters: 3,500
Prediction: $36 million

Evening
What's It All About: Based on a novel by Susan Minot, a dying woman tells her two adult daughters about the defining moments of her life and of her greatest love.
Why It Might Do Well: Like A Mighty Heart last week, Evening provides a meat and potatoes alternative to all the summer movie eye candy, and an impressive cast including Meryl Streep, Claire Danes, Vanessa Redgrave, and Glenn Close may attract some attention.
Why It Might Not Do Well: This one may be too heavy for summer crowds looking for more lightweight fare.
Number of Theaters: 900
Prediction: $4 million

My prediction from last week was less than stellar, so this time around I've cast aside my crystal ball and am pursuing a more scientific approach that involves the positions of the stars, barometric pressure, and a Magic 8-Ball. Here's how I see the weekend going:

1. Live Free or Die Hard
2. Ratatouille
3. Evan Almighty
4. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
5. 1408

Last Week's Prediction Rankings:
1. Bubba8193: 16
2. NPC: 12
2. Opp-Neg: 12
2. Anna07: 12
2. Ray: 12
2. Chris: 12
2. Gregory Rubinstein: 12
8. Mario: 11
9. Ethan Stanislawski: 10
10. Bradley Thom: 9
11. DW: 7
12. Matt: 4

To have your prediction counted in our weekly competition, don't forget to give us your top five list before 5:00 PM on Saturday. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.

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Tags: box office, BoxOffice, Cinema, Cinematical, Movies

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